Bobby pin box



Feb. 24, 1953 L. R. WESTBY 2,629,389

BOBBY PIN BOX Filed June 25, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Even Z2: 47 008. we y- Patented Feb. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOBBY PIN BOX Lloyd R. Westby, Berwyn, Ill.

Application June 25, 1949, Serial No. 101,278

9 Claims. 1

The invention relates generally to receptacles and, more particularly, to a receptacle for holding bobby pins, or the like, and provided with means for facilitating opening of the bobby pins.

The invention has among its objects the production of a covered receptacle of the above type which is provided with means within the receptacle for facilitating opening of the bobby pins prior to their insertion in the user's hair, which device is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, attractive in appearance, and very efiicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a a covered receptacle in which the pin opening means forms a partition in the box for keepingthe pins aligned and ready for use, and is completely concealed when the cover is in closed position.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a receptacle which is so designed that the box will remain in position during the use of the pin opening means without any tendency to overturn, tilt, or the like, and in which such pin opening means may be constructed of metal, or the like, whereby the same is very durable in use.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of .parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a box embodying the present invention form of the pin opening structure;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the box illustrated in Fig. 1 taken approximately on the line 22 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4. is a top plan view of the box illustrated in Fig. 1 with the cover in open position;

Fig. is a sectional view of a box illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 illustrating a modified form of the pin opening structure taken approximately on the line 55 of Fig. 6, but with the cover in closed position;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the box illustrated in Fig. 5 with the cover in open position;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line l--'I of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating a slightly different construction.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, I indicates generally a receptacle having a lower section or box 2 and a cover member 3 constructed of any suitable material as, for example, molded plastic. The cover member 3 is hinged to the box 2 along one edge by means of hinges 4, illustrated in the present instance as each comprising a pair of spaced ears 5 integrally formed with the cover member 3, between each of which is positioned an ear 6 integrally formed on the box 2. The ears 6 on the member 2 may each be formed with outwardly extending projections I adapted to be positioned in complementary recesses 8 in the ears 5 to form a pivotal connection between the box 2 and cover 3; The cover may be assembled with the box portion 2 by springing the co-operating portions of each hinge member into operative, interlocked relation.

Extending upwardly from the bottom 9 adjacent the front wall I I and rear wall I2 is a, wedgeshaped member having downwardly and oppositely inclined walls with respect to the bottom, indicated generally by the numeral I3, formed in the construction illustrated from suitable sheet metal and bent intermediate its ends to form a relatively sharp edge I l, with the free ends of the member I3 bent outwardly to form flanges I5, each having its outer edge I6 in engagement with the adjacent side wall of the box 2, the material comprising the member I3 possessing sufficient inherent resiliency to form a resilient wedge member to frictionally hold the member I3 securely in engagement with the box 2 as the member I3 is attachably carried thereby in the position illustrated in the drawings.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, the portions I! of the member I3 adjacent the edge I4 extend at a more acute angle than the remainder of the leg portions of the member. The member I3 is provided adjacent the edges of the respective inclined surfaces with raised beads I8 extending substantially parallel to one another.

In use, bobby pins may be positioned in the box 2, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, with the member I3 operative to urge or direct the pins towards the front and rear walls, thereby providing a space at each side of the member I3 adjacent the central portion of the box for facilitating the removal of pins therefrom. The member I3 also provides means for opening the pins, which may be accomplished by positioning the pin adjacent the edge I4, and upon downward movement of the pin, the opposite legs of the pin may be urged outwardly, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, When sufficiently spread, the pin may be held in open position between the fingers and inserted in the hair. The portion I? of the member I3 extends at a relatively sharp angle so that the angle of inclination of the oppositely inclined portions with respect to the bottom 9 of the box is greater at the intersection with respect to the bottom of the box than the angle of inclination at the remaining portions of the member I3 spaced therefrom, thereby facilitating the initial opening of the pin, whereas the remaining portions of the member I3 serve to spread the pin a suflicient distance for the purposes intended.

The beads !8 serve to guide the opposite legs of the pin and maintain the same in operative engagement with the outer faces of the member I3, and the flanges I also provide means for preventing the ends of the pins from scratching the side-walls of the box.

It will be noted that the forces resulting from downward movement of the pin are transmitted downwardly andoutwardly to the bottom of the box; consequently, no tendency to tilt or tip the box when opening the pin is present, nor is there any tendency of the box to slide on its supporting surface, so that the box is very steady in use, and pins may be easily and readily opened.

The upper edge of the-box 2 is preferably provided with an insetrim I9 engageable with a complementary-shapededge on the cover 3 whereby the cover is accurately maintained in alignment with the box when in a closed position.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7, illustratinga box preferably adapted for use as a vanity box, .or the like, IOI indicates. generally a receptacle having a lower box I02. and a cover member I03jtherefor constructed of any suitable material as, for example, molded plastic. The cover member I03 is hinged to the member I02 along. onezedge' by means of hinge members I04, integrally formed with the respective members, illustrated in the present instance as each comprising a. pair. of spaced ears I05: integrally formed with thecover member I03.=between which is positionedanear: I06.carried by the box I02. The ear I06Jon.the member I02; may be-formed with outwardly extending projectionsv IIl'I adapted to bexpositionedin complementary(recess; I08:,in the ears I05 toform apivotal connection between the box- I02 and. cover: I03. The co.-op erating portionsofeach hinge may be :sprung into position and thus interlocked. Extending upwardly from the bottom I09 of the box I02 is a platform, indicated generally by the numeral I I I, having side walls 2' integrally formed with the bottom I09 and side walls II3. of the box. For facilitating molding and conserving of the molding material, the bottom I09'ofthe box is provided with a recess. I I4, more or less complementary 'to the side walls II2 of the. platform III. Extending upwardly: from the top II5 ofthe platform III is a more or less vertically extendingflange I I5, and extending along. the side walls I I2 and'positioned above the top II5 of theplatform is a wedgeshaped member I I'Iconstructed from sheet metal, or other suitable material, and having slightly concave walls IIB which are downwardly inclined toward the bottom of the box and intersect at their'upper-edges to form a relatively sharp edge II9, the lower portion of the member II'I. terminating in walls I2-I positioned adjacent the walls II2 each end-of the-member H1 area pair'ofin- Struck from the walls II 8 adjacent wardly extending opposed ears I22 which are frictionally engaged with the flange IIB, thereby firmly securing the member II! on the platform II I.

As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the concave walls [I8 are each provided with a plurality of raised beads I23 located at spaced intervals on each of the respective walls, with the beads on one wall aligned with the beads on the other wall.

The device illustrated in Fig. 7 is substantially the same in operation as that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, with the spaces between the respective walls H2 and the adjacent side walls of the box forming a compartment at each side of the member III, the latter providing means for opening the pins in substantially the same manner as has been heretofore described with respect to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the concave surfaces IIB functioning to spread the ends of the pin and thereby open the same. Likewise, the beads I23-provide guiding means for the pin during the opening operation.

The meeting edges of the cover I03 and box I02 may be constructed with offset portions'similar to I that described with respect to the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 and, if desired, a layer of felt I24, or other suitable material may be secured to the bottom of the box I02, thereby concealing the recess H4.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 8 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 5 to '7, withthe exception that the flange IIG on the platform III is offset toward the front of the box, whereby the member I I1 is provided with a concave. front wall IIBa extending more or less vertically but inclined downwardly toward the bottom of. the box, and the rear wall II8b inclined downwardly toward the bottom of the box at a lesser interior angle with respect to the bottom of the box than that of the wall II8a and extending at a greater angle with respect to the vertical so. that the member III is, in effect, tilted forward toward the edge iii of the box I02. Thus with this construction a pin may be opened by moving the.

latter at an angle with respect to the vertical, instead of moving the pin substantially vertical, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The construction of the box illustrated in Fig. 8,. other than as to the detailsabove pointed out, is similar to that of the box i1- lustrated in Fig. 5, the member II'If being provided with guide ribs .I23 and lock ears..I 22.;

It will be noted from the. above. description that I have provided a box of the. type described wherein the opening means iscOnstructed from metal, or other relatively hard material, to provide a durable. opening surface which willwithstand hard usage without injury; thus assuring easy opening of the pinsat all times.

ing member securely. in position withinthe box, and when the cover is in closed position, the

opening means is completely concealed. It willbe made in the same without-departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be:

understood as limiting myself to the. exact form,

construction,. arrangement, and. combination of.

parts.-.herein shown and: described .orrusesr mentioned.

Likewise, means is provided for firmly retaining the open-,

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a receptacle for bobby pins, and the like, a pin container having a bottom, side and end walls connected thereto, an upwardly extending resilient wedge member positioned in said receptacle and attachably carried thereby, said member having oppositely inclined walls intersecting at an acute angle to form a relatively sharp edge adjacent the top of the receptacle for engagement with the free ends of a bobby pin for initially separating the same, the portions of one of said walls being at a greater inclination than the corresponding portions of the other wall, said walls being operative upon downward movement of a pin initially engaged with the wedge member to spread the pin a desired distance.

2. In a receptacle for bobby pins, and the like, a pin container having a bottom, side and end walls connected thereto, and a movable cover therefor, an upwardly extending resilient wedge member positioned in said receptacle and carried thereby, means formed on said wedge member frictionally engageable with portions of said container for maintaining the member in operative position therein, said member having oppositely inclined walls intersecting at an acute angle to form a relatively sharp edge adjacent said cover member for engagement with the free ends of a bobby pin for initially separating the same, the inclination of said inclined walls being greater adjacent the intersection than at portions spaced therefrom, said walls being operative upon downward movement of a pin initially engaged with the wedge member to spread the pin a desired distance.

3. In a receptacle for bobby pins, and the like, a pin container having a bottom, side and end walls connected thereto, and a movable cover therefor, an upwardly extending wedge member positioned in said receptacle and carried thereby, said member having oppositely inclined walls intersecting at an acute angle to form a, relatively sharp edge adjacent said cover member for engagement with the free ends of a bobby pin for initially separating the same, the inclination of said inclined walls being greater adjacent the intersection than at portions spaced therefrom, the portions of one of said walls being at a greater inclination than the coresponding portions of the other wall, said walls being operative upon downward movement of a pin initially engaged with the wedge member to spread the pin a desired distance.

4. In a receptacle for bobby pins, and the like, a pin container having a bottom, side and end walls connected thereto, and a movable cover therefor, said container having an upwardly extending projection therein integrally formed therewith, a resilient wedge member positioned in said receptacle and frictionally mounted on said projection and having oppositely inclined walls intersecting at an acute angle to form a relatively sharp, upwardly extending ed e adjacent said cover member for engagement with the free ends of a bobby pin for initially separating the same, said walls being operative upon downward movement of a pin initially engaged with the wedge member to spread the pin a desired distance.

5. In a receptacle for bobby pins, and the like, a pin container having a bottom, side and end walls connected thereto, and a movable cover therefor, said container having an upwardly extending flanged projection therein integrally formed therewith, a resilient wedge member positioned in said receptacle and frictionally mounted on said flanged projection and having oppositely inclined walls intersecting at an acute angle to form a relatively sharp. upwardly extending edge adjacent said cover member for engagement with the free ends of a bobby pin for initially separating the same, the inclination of said inclined walls being greater adjacent the intersection than at portions spaced therefrom, said walls being operative upon downward movement of a pin initially engaged with the wedge member to spread the pin a desired distance.

6. In a receptacle for bobby pins, and the like, a pin container having a bottom, side and end walls connected thereto, and a movable cover therefor, said container having an upwardly extending projection therein integrally formed therewith, a resilient wedge member positioned in said receptacle and frictionally mounted on said projection and having oppositely inclined walls intersecting at an acute angle to form a relatively sharp, upwardly extending edge adjacent said cover member for engagement with the free ends of a bobby pin for initially separating the same, the portions of one of said walls being at a greater inclination than the corresponding portions of the other wall, said walls being operative upon downward movement of a pin initially engaged with the wedge member to spread the pin a desired distance.

'7. In a receptacle for bobby pins, and the like, a pin container having a bottom, side and end walls connected thereto, and a movable cover therefor, said container having an upwardly extending projection therein integrally formed therewith, a wedge member positioned in said receptacle and mounted on said projection and having oppositely inclined walls intersecting at an acute angle to form a relatively sharp, upwardly extending edge adjacent said cover member for engagement with the free ends of a bobby pin for initially separating the same, the inclination of said inclined walls being greater adjacent the intersection than at portions spaced therefrom, the portions of one of said walls being at a greater inclination than the corresponding portions of the other wall, said walls being operative upon downward movement of a pin initially engaged with the wedge member to spread the pin a desired distance.

8. In a receptacle for bobby pins, and the like, a pin container having a bottom, side and end Walls connected thereto, and a cover therefor hinged thereto along adjacent edges, an upwardly extending projection in said container integrally formed with the latter, a wedge member positioned in said receptacle and mounted on said projection, said member having oppositely inclined walls intersecting at an acute angle to form a relatively sharp edge adjacent said cover, portions of said inclined walls spaced from said intersection having less inclination than the portions thereof adjacent said intersection, said portion of greater inclination being operative upon engagement of the free ends of a bobby pin therewith and downward movement of the pin relative to the member to initially separate the same, and the portions of said walls of less inclination being operative to spread the legs of the pin a desired distance, the portions of one of said inclined walls being at a greater inclination than the corresponding portions of the other inclined wall, each of said inclined walls having a plurality of spaced raisestriba; the respeotivel ribs; on aonewall lbeingv,

alignediwithsthemibsmmtheother"wallhandzproe vidingLm'eans;ion-guiding; a: pin-engaged withsaid' walls.

9: In a: -.receptaele;f or "bobby-pins, and :the like,

apineontainer having: abobtom,-. side; and end. Walls connected: thereto; and: a: movable cover.

therefor; an upwardly;- extendinga wedge member adjacent-said intersection; said-portion of greater inclinationlbeing; operative upon engagement of thefree endsof a hobby pin therewith anddown ward movemen-tof thepin relativertothemember: to. initially, separate the-same,- a-nd 1the-portlons ofsaidwalleofdess:inclinetion beinggoperativetbo spread the legs of the pin a desired: distance.

each of saidlnclined wallsiheving; a-lpair. of spaced raised :ribs bhe respective ribsron onezwall-being aligned with Ethe z ribson theother wall and. providing; guiding means for a. piniengaged with said walls:

LLOYD R. WESTBY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in; the:

file. of this z-patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date,

D. 132,851- Cooper J une:;23,',1942n.

D. 150,143 Lem'kervetz a1 -l Julyv 6, .1948' D. 158,812 Solomon May 30, 19504. 2,226,237 Cooper -l Dec. 24, 1940' 

